Engine starting mechanism.



1, A. TAYLOR. ENGINE STARTING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 16. 19M.

Patented-Mar. 18, 1919 I aawwwn wwwv W JAMES A. TAYLOR, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

ENGINE STARTING MECHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 18,11 919.

Original application filed July 14, 1911, Serial No. 638,572. Divided and this application filed December 16,

1914. Serial No. 877,536.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, JAMES A. TAYLOR, a citizen of the United States, residing at the borough of Manhattan, in the county, city, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Engine Starting Mechanisms, of which the following is a specification.

The objects of my invention are to provide an engine or motor starting device, actuated by power, (usually compressed-air) for giving the initial starting movement to the explosive vapor or other motor used; and is shown herein as applied to road vehicles of the automobile type; although not limited to use therein. As shown herein in the particular form I prefer to use in adapting my said invention to use in road vehicles, the same is combined usually with the ordinary combined fiy-wheel and clutch mechanism; with a power braking mechanism; and also usually with a 'power gear shifting mechanism, preferablyof the improved form of my invention, fully set forth described and claimed in my original application Serial No. 638,572, of which this is a division; wherefore I have not deemed it essential to show or describe herein the controlling-keys, or connecting mechanism.

To the before mentioned ends my said invention comprises in the main,-a main or motor crank-shaft; a driveshaft; drive-clutch members adapted to bring such two shafts into and out of operative connection with one another; a motor-starting mechanism carried by the main or crankshaft comprising a clutch-member reciprocating on and rotating with the crankshaft, coacting with a clutch-memloer revolubly mounted on the crank-shaft; means for reciprocating the reciprocating clutch-member; means for forming a yielding contact between such clutch-members; mechanism connecting the drive-clutch with the starterclutch mechanism, in such manner that when. one is in the clutching position; the other will be out; means actuated by the driver for throwing the drive-clutch out without throwing the driver-clutch in, a braking mechanism; power mechanism controlled by the driver which when moved in one direction Will set the braking mechanism, and

when moved in the other will actuate the starting mechanism so as to give the initial starting rotative movement to the crankshaft of the motor; means for automatically returning the'rotating member of the starterclutch to the normal position upon release from the power; means for automatically returning the braking-mechanism to the nonbraking position upon release from the power; means for locking the drive-clutch against being thrown into clutch while the starting mechanism is being operated; mans for automatically throwing the drive-clutch out upon the neutralization of the shiftgears, and for releasing such drive-clutch upon the throwing into clutch of a shiftgear; and mechanisms connecting and combining all such described mechanism-s into a concrete whole in such'manner, that no one can be operated in a way to bring injury to any; although I do not limit myself to the exact construction, nor combination shown, either in whole, or in any of the parts thereof.

My said invention is fully shown and described in the following specification, of which the accompanying drawing forms a part, wherein similarletters or numerals of reference designate like or equivalent parts wherever found throughout the several views; and in which Figure 1 is a side-view, partially in section, of the combined drive-clutch and motor starting mechanism, with its connection with the neutralizer interlocking mechanism;

Fig. 2 is a top-plan view of the neutralizer mechanism and its supporting frame;

Fig. 3 is a top view of the right hand portion of the mechanism shown in Fig. 1, showing the starter; mechanism, and its connection with the brake-rod, etc.,

Fig. 4 is a diagrammaticview of the starter-cable and spring retracting-mechanism, taken in section on the line hh of Fig. 1, looking toward the right;

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic side-view of the double power braking mechanism, showing the connection thereof with the starter-mechanism;

Fig. 6 is a top-plan view of the motorstarter and drive-clutch locking mechanism,

shown in side-view as a portion of Fig. 1; and i Fig. 7 is a top-plan View of the right side portion of the forward braking mechanism, etc. I

Referring to the drawing;

As shown in Figs. 1, 3, 41, 5, 6 and 7, in theform of embodiment of my invention I prefer to use,"my improved motor-starter, etc., usually combined with a combined fly-Wheel and drive-clutch mechanism of any" of the forms in common use; which'usu'ally comprises a fly-wheel A, rigidly secured to the end of the motor main orcrank-shaft B,

, (usually by a suitable key 1) so as to rotate in unison with such shaft B; with which i fiy-wheel coacts the other and movable member E, of such (have-clutch, for forming the required connection between the crank-shaft- B, and the drive-shaft D, in actuatiiu;connectlon at its rear end. w1th the main driv ng gear-wheel (notshown), adapted to actuate the usual speed shift gears (not shown),

commonly used in motor vehicles, when in iesh therewith. I \Vhile any form of clutch may be used as a dlrive clutcli, the common reciprocating-cone construction clutch shown is especially well The fly-wheel is provided on its front face with a cylindrical chamber surrounding the crank-shaft B, which is closed'by a two part split-plate 2, having a central orifice so as to prevent the starter-sleeve F from slipping outward by reason of having its inner edges located in the peripheral retaining groove thereof, as clearly shown in Fig. 1;

' the split-plate 2 being usually secured in place by suitable screws v2.

The starter sleeve is vibrated by the starter-cable at, fitting in a groove on the larger periphery of such sleeve F, and secured at the end thereon; and is provided on its outer face wlth a crown-toothed ratchet-wheel 6. Also secured 1n like mane ner to the sleeve F, (usually between the cable-wheel portion and the fly-wheel, as

shown) is the retracting coil-spring 7, for

automatically returning such sleeve to its normal pos1t1on upon release of the startercable 1, from the starter power mechanism..

Reciprocatingly mounted on the crankshaft B, and usually secured. in place by means of a set-screw 8, passing. through the same into a longitudinal slot in the shaft B,

so as to slide freely thereon while rotating: therewith, is the reciprocating starter-clutch member or sleeve G, havingon its rear face a crown toothed ratchet wheel 9, co acting with the like ratchet-wheel 6, to form a clutch.

Secured in place upon the shaft B, (usually by a, set-screw 10) is a stop-colla 11, between which and the reciprocating starterclutch member G (and mounted on the shaft B) is located the coil starter-clutch presingly. mounted the slide-bar 14, having at one end the fork 15, and'at the other the likefork 16, each of the well-known form,

having studs 17, projecting into peripheral grooves 18 and19inthe drive-clutch member C, and reciprocating starter-clutch"member G, so thatreciprocation ofthe slide-bar 14, will bring such drive and motor-starting clutches into 7 and 5 out of clutch alternately. That is, the constructionissuch, that'the drive-clutch cannot possibl y'be brought into clutch without throwing the starter-clutch outand vice versa; In orderthat the sta rterclutch members maybe disengaged "when the motorbegins to rotate, the peripheral slot 19', of the starter reciprocating clutch-member G, is much wider than the fork-pins, wherebyupon the rotation of the crank-shaft B, the reciprocating member G, will be forced. back against the resiliency of the coil-spring 12, so as to slip by the vibrating clutclr member or starter-sleeve F.

As shown in Figs. 3 and l, the startercable 1, is secured at itsouterend to arod or'stud- 20, formed integral with a slideblock or gib 21, reciprocating in the slide-wayof the slide-way frame 22, rigidly secured.-

tothe main-frame of'the chassis of the vehicle (not shown) Such slide-block or gib 21, is rigi'dly secured'tothe piston-rod 23,

carrying a piston (not shown) reciprocating in the fluid-pressurecylinder J, whereby,

by manipulation of the proper keys (not of the compressed-air, or other actuating pressure 'fiuid,' at either end of such cylinder, such piston-rod 23, vwill be forced to the front (toward the 'rightof Figs. 3'and4,) to actuate'thestarter-mechanism, and to the rear (orfileft') to actuate the brakes; the

piston being. kept normally. in the central or neutral position, when not'under pressure by the resiliency of the spring steel strapbrakes 24L and25.- 7 7 The starter-cable l, passes to the starterclutch vibrating member 6, by way of the idler-pulley 26, secured upon vva side extenshown) ,controlling the entrance and exhaust sion or bracket'27, ofthe slide-way frame 22 and. secured-upon such starter-cable is a stop-collar 28, abutting against the forward 1 face of the bracket 27, to prevent destructive excessive retractive movement of the member 6, when returned to its normal position by the action of the coil-spring 7; and formed integral with or firmly secured to the slideblock 21, is a shift-rod abutting against the stem-rod 15, of the starter-clutch fork 15, so as to just throw out the drive-clutch member C, when the piston-rod 23,'is moved to the rear (or left of drawing) in order to set the brakes, without bringing into clutch the reciprocating clutch-member G, of the starter mechanism.

Pivoted to the bracket H, by means of a pivot-hole 30, is a shift-fork 31 having shiftpins 32, projecting into the peripheral shift slot 33, of E, so as to release the driveclutch, when the top fork portion of the shift-fork 31, is moved to the rear or left of Fig. 1. And in order that the driver of the vehicle may do this by foot-pressure upon the usual clutch-release pivoted pedallever 34, such lever is so sha ed at the lower portion 34' as to do this by a utment against the throw-stud or lug 35, of 31, but this throw-out movement while sufiicient to release the drive-clute'h, .is not sufficient to throw in the starter clutch reciprocating member G, so as to throw the same into position to be actuated by the piston of the rod 23; this limitation of movement being brought about by abutment of the lever 31, against the stop-stud 36.

Abutting against the lower end of the vibrating shift-fork lever 31, is the rod 37, having the adjustable stop-nuts 38, screwed thereon, by which when thrown forward by abutment of such nuts against the lower end of the lever-fork 31, when the rod 37 is thrown to the front, or right of Fig. 1, the clutch will be thrown out the same distance only, as is the case when thrown out by the foot-lever 34. And such clutch throwout rod 37, is so thrown forward upon the neutralizing movement of the neutralizer gearshift mechanism, shown in detail in Fig. 2, and is automatically locked in such position, (so as to keep the clutch thrown out) until the locking mechanism is automatically released upon the throwing into mesh of a shift-gear, when the throw-spring of the drive-clutch (not shown) will instantly throw it to its normal clutching position.

As shown in Fig. 2, the frame supporting the neutralizing and gear-shiftingmechanism, is usually of rectangular form, and is secured to the chassis or main frame of the vehiclein front of the shift-gear box (not shown). And reciprocatingly secured in side-slots 39, of the side-pieces 40 of such frame, are the end slide-studs 41, of the top neutralizing slide-bars 42 and 42', having secured beneath the same and reciprocating on bolts 43, bottom-bars, (not shown), normally pressed upward against the top-bars by suitable springs (not shown). The slidebars are kept normally pressed apart to the limit of the slide-slots 39, by suitable springs 44; and located between them and reciprocatingly journaled in the side-pieces of the frame, are the two shift-gear rods 45 and 46, provided on the under face with slip locking cam-slots (not shown) for locking the slidebars 42 and 42, in the central andneutralizing position, into which they are drawn by the forward movement, (toward the right of Fig. 2) by such movement of the combined neutralizing and reversing-gear rod 47; which is provided with a collar 48, located outside of the slide-bar 42, to move the same, the coacting bar 42, being simultaneously moved toward the center in the opposite direction, by the action of the levers 49, 50 and 51, pivoted as shown.

In their neutralizing position the bars are locked in place by the locks of the bars below 42 and 42, while the neutralizing rod is only locked when thrown to the extreme left so as to throw in the reversing-gear.

Reciprocating in the side-pieces 40, outside of the slide-bars 42 and 42, are the slide-rods 52 and 52, having the upwardly extending cam-studs 53, by contact with which the central sidecams 54, of the gearshift and the neutralize]? and reverse-gear rods 45, 46, and 47, will be moved to what is the top of Fig. 3, when the rods 45, 46 and 47, are reciprocated in the proper direction. Each of these slide-rods 52 and 52, is connected pivotally through a suitable stud '(not shown), with a rock-rod 55, vibratorily journaled at the ends in the front and rear side-pieces of the frame 38, in such manner that when actuated by the cams 54, they will either of them vibrate such rod toward what is the bottom of Fig, 3; and such rod 55, is provided with a coil tension spring 56, secured thereto and to the frame 38, whereby upon release from the pressure of such cams the rod 55, and also the rods 52 and 52, will be returned to the normal position.

The rock-rod 55, is provided with a toothed-rack 57 faced toward the front (right of Fig. 3), adapted to receive a spring-dog pawl 58, carried by the reciprocating clutch-throwout-rod 37, which is re- 11.5

leased therefrom upon the throwing into mesh of either of the four speed-gears, by the reciprocation in either direction of the shift-gear rods 45 and 46, (or by the reciprocation to the rear of the combined reverse- 120 gear and neutralizer rod 47) by the consequent vibration of the rock-rod 55, carrying the rack 57. For this purpose a stud-arm' 60, rigidly secured to the neutralizer-rod 47,

upon its movement in the forward and neu- 125 lower end of the pivoted shift-fork 31, forces 130 58 'locks'the clutch in the released position,

until the throwing'in of any o'fthe five gears (four speed and one reverse), releases suchpawl, when the spring of the clutch will return such rod to its normal unlocked position.

' Inasmuch as such gear-shifting and neutralizing mechanism, except in combination, forms no part of the invention herein claimed; and may therein be of forms different from the construction set forth; and

that the same is fully described; set forth and claimed in my before mentioned original application of' which this is a divisional application, I have not deemed it essential to more fully show or describe the same herein; as many mechanisms performing the same functions, may be used in the combination herein claimed, without departing from the scope of my invention.

If the starter-mechanism should be actu-v ated when the starterclutch isout of mesh, such action would beflia'ble to wreck such mechanism; and to obviate'this I prefer to provide a suitable locking mechanism; such, for instance as that shown at K, (Figs. 1. and 6) which'prevents the pressure fluid from being allowed to enter the cylinder J.

on the starteractuating side (left of draw ing), save when such starter-clutch is in mesh. Such locking mechanism may be of many forms, but that shown will be found efiicient. I

In same (as shown in Figs. 1 and 5,) a bracket-piece or plate 66, is formed integral with or secured to the standardlG, of the shift-fork 16, and is provided with a 'narrow slip-slot 67, having at its forward 1 end (right of drawing) the enlarged lock-slot or orifice 67 usually of the circular form shown, but at any rate of the same shape and diameter in cross-section as is the enlarged lower lock-portion 68, which together with the upper projecting slide-pin 68, formed integral therewith, constitutes a reciprocating lock-pin L; which \When in the normal lower position shown will only have the slide-pin 68, in the slot slide-way I formed'by the slot 67-67, so as to (allow of free reciprocation of the bracket K, and its attached bar 14; but the lock-bolt L, composed of 67 and 67 is so connected with the hand-lever or key admitting the pressure-fluid to the starter side of the cylinder J, (left of drawing, neither key nor valve shown), in such manner that upon the actuation of such-key by the driver, it will inits initial movement, and before the opening offthe valve so as to admit the pressurefluid to the cylinder, throw such lock-pin L, up into the circular enlarged portion 67, of thelock slot, thus locking the starterclutch in, save for the yield of the spring 12; after which continued'movement of'the I be seen that except when-the clutch of the starter=mechanism is fully-in and the drivechitch-is-out,-can; theslock-pin I be forced sufiiciently farupward to admlt pressurefluid to the-cylinder J sons to rotate the,

starter-mechanism-.

Inasmuch as the particular; mechanisms herein stated to be not-shown aremore fully} and specifically set, forth,-.described and claimed in the original application of which this application is a divisional one,

No. 638,572, filed July '14, 1911, or ;in another di'visiona-l application of such original,

Serial No; 877,538, filed December 16, 1914.;

: simultaneously herewith; I have'not deemed it'essentlal to more fully show or describe the same herein.-

I claims- I '1.'In a device of the -class described, a main or-motor crank-shaft; 'a comblned fi'ywheel andclutch-member' rigidly secured to the main or crank-shaft; a tlfiIlSIHISSlOl'l shaft; aclutch-member secured 'to the transmission-shaft coacting withthefly-wheel clutch member; a motoresta-rter clutch-member provided with outwardly faced ratchetteeth concentric to themain or: crank-shaft, revolubly mounted thereon, andso secured in the abutting face of the flywheel a 1 motor-starter clutch member, having crownmain or= crank-shaft so as to =be longitudinally movable thereon whilerevoluble there with; mechanism controlled by thedriver for moving; such longitudinally"movable mosuch original being my application Serial tor-starter clutch-member longitudinally of V the main or crank-shaft so as to-bring the sameinto and: out of clutch" with the first motor-starter clutch-member, and power actuated means for} caus1ng= actuation of' the fly-wheel motor-starter clutch-member vi-,

bratorily upon the main orcranl-shaftwhen in clutch with the longitudinally movable motor-starter clutch member, in such man ner as to give an initial motor-starting movementto the main or: crank-shaft.

2. Ina device of the class described, a motor-starting devicecomprising a clutch:

mg mechanism having a-clutch-member carried by the main or crank-shaft rotating therewlth and reciprocating thereon; a sec V ond'clutch-member supported by the main or crank-shaft adjacent to the reciprocatingmember in whichsuch shaft-is free to rotate; mechanism controlled by the driver for reciprocating the'reciprocating memberinto and out of clutch; and power means for causing actuation of. the second clutch-member vimotor-starting device comprising a clutching mechanism having a clutch-member carried by the main or crank-shaft rotating therewith and reciprocating thereon; a second clutch-member supported by the main or crank-shaft adjacent to the reciprocatingmember in which such shaft is free to rotate; mechanism controlled by the driver for reciprocating the reciprocating member into and out of clutch; means for causing actuation of the second clutch-member vibratorily upon the main or crank-shaft, in such manner as to give an initial motor starting movement to the main or crank-shaft; and means for automatically returning such second clutch-member to its initial normal position upon its disengagement from the reciprocating clutch-member.

4:. In a device of the class described, a motor having a main or crank-shaft; a clutch-member secured upon such shaft so as to reciprocate thereon and rotate therewith; a coacting-clutch member vibratorily mounted upon such main or crank-shaft, in which such shaft is free to rotate; crown wheels or clutch engagements carried by each of such clutch-members; and power means controlled by the driver for moving the vibrating clutch-member in such manner as to give an initial actuating rotative motor-starting movement. to the motor or crank-shaft.

5. In a device of the class described, a motor having a main or crank-shaft; a clutch-member carried by such crank-shaft rotating therewith and reciprocating thereon; a second coacting clutch-member supported upon such shaft vibratorily mounted thereon, in which such shaft is free to rotate; means controlled by the driver for bringing such clutch-members into and out of operative engagement; means for vibrating the non-reciprocating clutch-member when in clutch with the coacting clutchmember in such manner as to give an initial motor starting rotative movement to the main or crank-shaft of the motor; and a spring for returning the vibrating motorstarting-clutch member to its initial normal position.

6. In a device of the class described, a motor having a main or crankshaft; a clutch-member rigidly secured upon the main or crank-shaft; a drive-shaft; a second clutch-member co-acting with the first clutch member rotating with and reciprocating on the drive-shaft; a crown-ratchet-wheel carried by the main or crank-shaft and reciprocatingly mounted thereon rotating therewith; a reversely faced coacting like crownratchet-Wheel mounted on such main or crank-shaft in such manner that such shaft may rotate freely therein; mechanism connecting the moving member of the driveclutc-h with the reciprocating crown ratchetwheel in such manner that when the drive clutch is in working position, the crown ratchet wheels will be out of contact, and vice *versa; power actuated mechanism for vibrating the non-reciprocating ratchetwheel so as to give an initial motor starting rotative movement to the main or crankshaft; and means for actuatingthe driveclutch.

7. In a device of the class described, a rotating non-reciprocating clutch-member; a coacting moving clutch-member adapted to be brought into and out of clutch with the rotating clutch-member; a motor; means or mechanism for giving the initial starting movement to the motor; and means or mechanism for automatically disengaging the starting mechanism from the motorshaft, upon throwing the first clutch into mesh.

8. In a device of the class described, a motor, having a main or crank-shaft; a pressure-fluid reservoir; a crown-ratchet-wheel rotating with the main or crank-shaft and reciprocating thereon; a reversely faced. coacting like crown ratchet-wheel mounted freely rotatively thereon; means actuated by the pressure fluid for rotating the freely rotating wheel in the motor starting direction; means for automatically returning the 100 rotative-wheel to its initial normal position; and means controlled by the driver for actuating the inlet and exhaust valves of the starter-actuating power-mechanism.

9. In a device of the class described, a 105 starter-mechanism comprising a member adapted to give an initial starting rotative movement to the main or crank-shaft of the motor, in which the main-shaft is free to rotate thereafter; means for automatically 110 returning such member to the initial motor starting position, upon release from the starting force; and means controlled by the driver for putting such mechanism into operation.

10. In a device of the class described, a motor starting mechanism comprising two clutch-members adapted to be brought into and out of clutch so as to initially start the motor, and release the motor from the 120 initial starting mechanism automatically upon its operation; power means for operating the motor-starter; a drive-clutch for bringing the motor into and out of connection with the driving mechanism of the ve- 12 5v connecting the motor-starting device with the braking device in such manner that While they are actuated from a common source of power their reverse action Will: in

no manner interfereWith the other.

Signed at the borough of Manhatta'mcity,

county, and State of'NeW York; 'thisj12th 'daylof December, 1914.

JAMES A. TAYLOR. i

Witnesses: 7

JAMES CHRIS IE, MAXWELL -WAGNER.

Copies this patent may be obtained for five centsl each, byladdressing the Commissioner of Patents, 7

Washington; D. 0. 

